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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 14 hours ago

Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Houston, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$119K/yr - $155K/yr

1+ years exp

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist to oversee the operations within their area of specialty. The role includes managing laboratory processes, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and providing guidance to staff in a clinical setting.

GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety

Comp. & Benefits

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

The Lead Blood Bank Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) in this assignment facilities team or unit processes by working in collaboration with team members to ensure that tasks - priorities - goals and achievements are coordinated with management

The Lead CLS is responsible for all aspects of operation in their area of specialty including preparation and maintenance of records and reports - analysis of testing methodologies - training - instrumentation and compliance

Major duties include (but are not limited to): Performing quality control(s) and quality assurance(s) - following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) current Good Manufacturing Practices

Maintaining and ensuring that Quality System Essentials are defined - in place and being followed

Scheduling and conducting recurring audits that address each applicable Quality System Essential on a yearly basis

Performing audits and monitoring physician blood component usage

Preparing controls - blinds - standards - and other reagents for various quality control programs - specialized tests - etc

Evaluating the validity of data by integrating and correlating test data with other laboratory and patient data Maintaining - monitoring and preparing reagents for utilization in Blood Bank

Maintaining and monitoring Blood Bank supplies and stock levels

Performing complex and unusual Blood Bank tests and studies - prepares reagents for complex and specialized tests - monitors and evaluates the performance of commercial reagents used within the section

Assisting Blood Bank Supervisor with Immunohematology procedures and tests to be performed - works with the technical team in developing and implementing the use of protocols for performance of tests and evaluation of results - in accordance with AABB - CAP and FDA guidelines

Maintaining and monitoring conformity of Blood Bank SOPs

Ensures SOPs exist for all Blood Bank manufacturing and testing procedures - and that SOPs accurately describe and define the procedure that they pertain to

Maintaining and monitoring conformity to protocols using knowledge of medical technology principles and theories

Monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure acceptable levels of performance

Assuring corrective action is initiated when test performance deviates from established performance specifications

Qualification

MLS certificationMT certificationMedical technology knowledgeLaboratory instrumentation skillsProcedure developmentStaff developmentEnglish proficiencyTeam collaborationProblem-solving

Required

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403 (f)

Education: A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university

Certification: Candidates must meet one of the certification options below

Generalist certification as an MLS given by ASCP BOC or AMT

Generalist certification as an MT given by ASCP BOR or AMT

Categorical certification or Specialist certification by ASCP or AMT Foreign Education

To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials

Graduates of foreign baccalaureate degree programs meet the educational requirements if they meet either of the following: Foreign transcripts are evaluated by an acceptable evaluation agency - and the degree is found to be equivalent to a NAACLS-approved U.S. clinical laboratory science degree program

OR The applicant submits a letter from ASCP BOC or AMT stating the individual is eligible to take the certification examination

NOTE: Possession of a certification identified in 4c above automatically determines the foreign education as creditable and no further documentation or proof of equivalency is needed

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified

GS-12 Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist: 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level is required for all GS-12 assignments

Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities

In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical technology applicable to a wide range of duties to solve complex problems involving diverse aspects of clinical laboratory practice

Skill to maintain - troubleshoot - and repair laboratory instrumentation

Ability to develop procedures for new tests - and modify existing procedures and methods to resolve problems relative to complex and difficult situations

Ability to manage and coordinate daily work activities and assignments in a section

Ability to provide or coordinate staff development and training

Ability to provide guidance and technical direction to a wide variety of individuals including physicians - nurses - and other clinical staff regarding technical aspects of testing - specimen requirements and results

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position

May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions

the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated

However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations

Benefits

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)